s, and white collars round their necks;
and they look very nice. They have a happy time."

"I am sure they have, miss."

"Yes, they have a very happy time. They want for nothing. There was an
old lady belonging to our house who left a certain sum of money, and the
old ladies get it between them. They get six shillings a week each, and
a dear little house to live in. We are obliged to supply them with as
much coal as they want, and candles, and a new pair of blankets on the
first of every November, and a bale of unbleached calico on the first of
May. You can't think how comfortable they are. And then, of course, we
throw in a lot of extra things--the black velveteen dresses, and other
garments of the same quality."

"It must be a wonderful place to live in. Is it very difficult to get
into one of these houses, missy?"

"I don't know. Would you like to come?"

"That I would."

"I'll write to father and ask him if you may."

"Miss, it would be wonderful."

"You'd be very picturesque amongst them," said Kathleen, gazing at Mrs.
Church with a critical eye. "And you'd have so much to tell them;
because all the rest are Irish, and they have never gone beyond their
own country. But you have seen such a lot of life, haven't you?"

"Miss, I can't express all the tales I could tell. I lived with the
quality for so long. I lived with Lord Henshel until he died; I was
housekeeper there. Oh, I could tell them lots of things."

"It would be very nice if you came over; and I am almost sure there is a
cottage vacant," said Kathleen in a contemplative voice. "It seems
unfair to give the cottages entirely to Irish people. We might have one
English old lady. You would enjoy it; you'd have such a lovely view! And
you might keep your own little pig if you liked."

Mrs. Church was not enamored with the idea of keeping a pig.

"Perhaps fowls would do as well," she said. "I have a great fancy for
birds, and I am fond of new-laid eggs."

"Fowls will do just as well," said Kathleen, rising now carelessly from
her seat. "Well, Mrs. Church, I will write to father and let you know if
there is a vacancy; and you could come back with me in the summer,
couldn't you?"

"Oh, miss, it would be heaven!"

"Can't we go out and have a walk now, Susy?" said Kathleen, who found
the small parlor a little too close for her taste.

Susy rushed upstairs, put on her outdoor jacket and a cheap hat, and,
trying to hide the holes in her gloves, ran